The New York Times reports the Pentagon plans a significant reduction in US military assets dedicated to NATO in Europe, including slashing the fighter jet contingent from roughly 150 to about 100 aircraft. Other planned cuts target intelligence and aerial refueling aircraft, while key naval assets — an aircraft carrier, a missile submarine, and bomber forces — would be shifted to other missions, according to the report.
The New York Times reports that the Pentagon plans to reduce the number of U.S. fighter jets assigned to NATO in Europe from roughly 150 to about 100 aircraft, according to a new report. This specific figure—a cut of 50 fighter jets—is the latest detail to emerge in a story The Zioneer has been tracking since 08:16 Jerusalem time.
The Zioneer first reported the planned cuts at 08:16 Jerusalem, citing an NYT report carried by Israeli journalist Asaf Rozentzweig (N12). That initial version stated the U.S. had informed European allies of a massive reduction in American military assets dedicated to NATO, including cutting F-16 and F-15 fighters from 150 to 100, scaling back maritime patrol aircraft from 26 to 15, withdrawing all eight aerial refueling tankers, and reassigning a nuclear attack submarine, an aircraft carrier, naval vessels, and two bomber squadrons from U.S. European Command. A subsequent Zioneer bulletin at 13:48 Jerusalem repeated the same details, attributing the report to Abu Ali Express. The reporting has not been independently confirmed by the Pentagon or NATO officials.
The planned drawdown comes amid a substantial U.S. military posture shift under the Trump administration. As The Zioneer reported on June 10, 08:30 Jerusalem, the U.S. currently maintains some 50,000 troops in the Middle East, including approximately 20,000 Navy personnel on two aircraft carriers and 18 destroyers across the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean.
It remains unclear whether the reported cuts have been finalized, when they would be implemented, and whether any of the assets being withdrawn would be permanently redeployed or merely reassigned on a rotational basis.
4 developments
- DevelopingUS plans to send additional F-16, F-35 jets and tankers to Middle East, CNN reports
- DevelopingNATO chief says US troop reduction from Europe takes effect
- DevelopingNATO announces plans to replace AWACS fleet with Saab GlobalEye, acquire new transport aircraft
- ConfirmedUS plans to deploy roughly 100 aerial refueling aircraft to Israel, security source says
Source and signal
- Open-source intake